Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited’s (RNML), Kurumbukari (KBK) Mine is in the process of installing in its fleet, Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring devices to keep up with the advancement in the Mining Industry as well as a recommendation by the regulator, the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) to have a live stream monitoring system.
Ramu NiCo’s Kurumbukari Mine sees this as a way forward for the Mine and the Company if it is to keep up with the ever-changing work environment and the systems put in place.
The Kurumbukari Mine will see all the Company vehicles from light to heavy vehicles used at the mine pit as well as those used for transportation or work at the mine site as well as those doing logistics or administration duties.
The launch of the GPS Monitoring System is expected to occur in the coming weeks once the monitoring devices are installed in all Company vehicles.
Deputy General Manager, KBK Mine, Matthew Francis said, “Because of the advancement in Mining in Papua New Guinea they (MRA) wants us to have a live stream monitoring system, of which, we could sit in a control room and monitor operators, truck drivers or car drivers on their day to day activities.”
“This is to manage fatigue and the micro-slips that a driver might have and tends to lose control of the vehicle or machinery that they are operating.”
Mr. Francis said the installation of the monitoring devices is done in many other mines in the country, hence, with direct instructions by the MRA, the Company has installed the devices already on the trucks, excavators and the buses that travel to and from Madang and Ramu and are trialing it out on those vehicles.
“We have installed the dash board cameras so we can see what’s happening in and outside the vehicles and they are being tracked via the satellite using the Digicel network.”
He further emphasized that policies will also be put in place as these monitoring devices are safety equipment and if tempered with, one can face termination from their jobs.
These devices’ installation is mostly to manage fatigue and utilization of the Company fleet and monitoring them as well as controlling incidences deemed not right by the Company, he added.
The monitoring or tracking devices are being installed by the Innovative Business and Project Solutions, a locally owned company based in Lae.
Post Courier, May 25, 2023, Page 39